WhatsApp just gave its Wear OS app a real upgrade, where you can now start new chats, mark them as read or unread, pin them, archive them, and even mute them. And you can do all of this right from your watch. Before this, you had to grab your phone for most of these actions. Now, your wrist can handle the job on its own.
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A quick look back at the Wear OS app
WhatsApp first brought its app to Wear OS back in 2023. At that time, though, it could only do two things well. You could read messages, and you could reply to them. You could even send a voice note from your wrist. Still, it could not handle voice calls or other simple chat actions. So, if you wanted to pin a chat or mute a notification, you had to reach for your phone anyway.
To use the watch app, you also needed to link it to your phone first. This meant entering a short code to sync the two devices. Once that step was done, the watch worked as a companion to your Android phone, not a full replacement for it. Interestingly, WhatsApp is testing the opposite idea too, letting a tablet act as your primary device instead of a phone.
What’s new in this update
The latest WhatsApp beta for Android, version 2.26.27.2, brings a much bigger update. It rolls out several new features for the Wear OS app, and these are now reaching some beta testers. Here is what you can now do straight from your watch:
- Start a brand new chat with any contact
- Mark a conversation as read or unread
- Pin a chat to the top of your list
- Archive a chat to clear it from view
- Mute a chat to stop the alerts
Because of these additions, your smartwatch finally works like a small extension of your phone. It is no longer just a screen for viewing messages.
Starting new chats right from your wrist
Before this update, you could only reply to chats that already existed. Now, you can open a brand new conversation with anyone in your contacts, all without touching your phone. This comes in handy when your phone is out of reach and you need to send a quick message. So, whether you are at the gym or out for a walk, you will not have to wait until you get back to your phone.
Read and unread controls are here too
WhatsApp also added a way to mark chats as read or unread, right from the watch. This helps in a couple of ways. For instance, if you want to deal with a chat later, you can mark it as unread as a reminder to yourself. Or, if you just want to clear a notification without opening the message, marking it as read does the job.
For group chats, this feature also lets you clear the unread count without opening the group at all. Just swipe on a chat from the list on your watch, and the option shows up right away. WhatsApp is also working on other group upgrades, including a chat history sharing feature for people who just joined.
Pin, archive, and mute give you more control
Along with the features above, WhatsApp added three more useful actions:
- Pin a chat so it stays at the top of your list
- Archive a chat to move it out of your main view
- Mute a chat when it sends too many alerts
These options give you more say over how your chat list looks and feels. For example, if one group chat keeps buzzing your wrist, you can mute it in seconds. WhatsApp is making changes on other platforms too, like a new group chat info interface rolling out on iPhone.
Why this update actually matters
Until now, the Wear OS app could only handle basic tasks. You could read a message, and you could send a reply, but that was about it. If you needed to pin, mute, or archive a chat, your phone was still required for the job.
This update changes that setup. Now, the watch app works more like a real stand-in for your phone, at least when it comes to chat management. As a result, anyone who relies on a smartwatch to check notifications on the go will notice a real difference. It is a small change on paper, but it saves a few extra steps every single day. Over time, those small steps add up to real time saved.
When will you get these features
Right now, these new tools are only reaching some users who install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android. A few users on older beta versions may also spot these changes. That is because WhatsApp appears to be rolling this out from its servers, rather than through the beta update alone.
If you do not see these options yet, do not worry too much. Just give it some time, since WhatsApp has not shared an exact date for a full public rollout. In the meantime, it helps to keep the WhatsApp app updated so you are ready the moment it arrives.
Quick answers about this update
What is this WhatsApp update about?
It lets you manage your WhatsApp chats right from your smartwatch. This includes starting new chats, marking messages as read or unread, and pinning, archiving, or muting conversations.
Which WhatsApp version has these features?
The features are showing up in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.27.2 for Android. Some users on earlier beta versions may also see them, since WhatsApp is rolling this out from its servers.
Do I need my phone to use these features?
Not for these actions. Once your watch is linked to your phone through the setup code, you can manage your chats straight from your wrist.
When will everyone get this update?
WhatsApp has not shared an exact date yet. The rollout is happening in stages, so it may take a few weeks before it reaches every user.
The bottom line
WhatsApp’s Wear OS app has come a long way since 2023. What started as a simple way to read and reply to messages is now turning into a much more complete chat tool. With these new features, you can manage your daily chats without constantly reaching for your phone. So, if you use a smartwatch alongside WhatsApp, keep an eye out for this update. It might already be waiting for you.
